Emancipator Ensemble

Blockhead, Real Magic

Emancipator Ensemble

A search for mind immersing, spine tingling tracks would land many stumbling upon Emancipator. Between the countless tour dates, festivals, and studio time, Emancipator (aka Doug Appling); the Portland, OR based electronic producer, has retained a steady rise of success over the past few years. Playing sold out venues, to the delight of his faithful fans, 2012 proved to be a year of expansion and growth for this talented young musician. Further backed by the support of two highly acclaimed albums, Soon it will be cold enough and Safe in the steep cliffs and the recent launch of his own label, Loci Records, this young entrepreneur shows no signs of slowing down.

Known for its etheric melodies, immaculately smooth samples, and addictive drum beats, Emancipator's music has captivated a diverse audience across the globe. One might struggle to place a finger on what makes the music so addictive, but would undoubtedly return to the underlying feeling of balance and connection. Now accompanied regularly by the harmonious swells of live violin played by Ilya Goldberg, Emancipator's live performances have developed into an all-encompassing musical experience.

With the release of his newest album, Dusk to Dawn, the music promises listeners a nostalgic return to the soulful integration of organic hip hop and symphonic layers that first captivated his audience. "Minor Cause", the first single off Dusk to Dawn proved a buzz-worthy track with its' video premier on MTV's Hive – followed by an uproar of enthused listeners wanting more. Trusting his roots yet simultaneously evolving, Emancipator's fresh new cultivation is nothing short of a renaissance.

With the added element of a four-piece ensemble in 2014, Emancipator's live show is sure to captivate dedicated and new fans alike. The newest venture will further enhance the collaborative and improvisational elements that create a far-reaching musical experience throughout the live show.

Blockhead

Tony Simon, a/k/a Blockhead, has been making and releasing utterly distinctive, funky and emotive music for 15 years. Blockhead grew up in downtown New York City. As the son of an artist, surrounded by visual culture, he early on found that his passion was for music, for the sonic. A fan of a whole range of sounds, especially hip-hop, Blockhead steadily built a tremendous collection of tapes and later CDs from innumerable artists, a quiet accumulation of knowledge and know-how. After a brief stint as a rapper, he realized his calling was behind the boards and not on the mic – and from there he began to produce beats. Since making that decision, he's kept pretty busy: carving a niche as a quality underground beatmaker that people call when they want something special. Blockhead produced nine tracks on Aesop Rock's critically acclaimed album "Labor Days." Additionally he produced half the tracks on Aesop's follow up EP, "Daylight." He has also worked with other indie giants Atmosphere, Murs, Mike Ladd and Illogic. In between, he found time to complete a break beat album entitled "Blockhead's Broke Beats," with ten hard-hitting instrumental tracks, which was released on Mush Records, the US home of cLOUDDEAD.

To understand Blockhead's presence and gravitas – look no further than the fact that he has also contributed three tracks (including the first single) for Cage's "Hell's Winter" on Def Jux. The other producers on the project are DJ Shadow, El-P and RJD2. All this occurred simultaneously to his debut album on Ninja Tune, "Music By Cavelight," described as "one of the most fantastically good albums you're going to hear this year" (Sunday Telegraph) and "a beautiful record" (Metro), with Blockhead himself tipped as "definitely one to watch" (Touch.) Blockhead returned in 2005 with "Downtime Science," another set of deep, emotional instrumental hip hop tracks, this time dedicated to the downtown area of Manhattan where he grew up and has lived his entire life, encompassing all the attitude, anger and edginess of the neighborhood. This expansive album also features some melancholy reflections upon failed relationships and the promise of future loves. "The Music Scene," his first full album in 5 years (discounting the tour-only release of "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book" in 2007) has elevated his craft to another level.

Blockhead released "Interludes After Midnight" in 2012, marking his latest triumph in the world of instrumental music. His thoughtful beats and iconic samples continue to help him stand apart from the crowd when it comes to originality and emotion.

Since 2010, Blockhead has performing in a variety of electronic festival like Photosynthesis, Emerg-n-See, Art Outside, Camp Bisco, Trinumeral Festival and One Step Beyond, co-headline tours with Emancipator and Signal Path, and support date runs with both Bassnectar and Pretty Lights. No longer content with being behind the boards, Blockhead has emerged as a real touring force with his new live show that keeps audiences nodding along and wanting more!

Real Magic

Bay Area newcomer Drew Englander, also known as Real Magic, got his start in early 2011 when he recorded "No Things Left," an experiment in which he layered his somber and heartfelt croon over a whirlwind of grimey electronics and breakneck rhythms. It was to be a jumping off point for Englander, as he continued to delve into the capabilities of his voice and songwriting.

His influences are as numerous as they are diverse, including vocal-harmony masters Simon and Garfunkel, singer/songwriters Johnny Cash and Elliott Smith, composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass, and electronic artists Aphex Twin, Burial and Brian Eno.

What distinguishes this singer/producer from his sample-and-effects laden contemporaries is the surprising range and character of his vocals, which are featured prominently in the mix to create a sense of genuine humanity often absent from electronic music. Englander's melancholy voice sits atop carefully arranged compositions of synthesizers, strings, guitars and twittering drum machines, leading the way through a soundscape that is dark and brooding, yet hopeful and triumphant.

Following his 2011 release with LA's Heart Music Group, and subsequent features on Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan, Englander has been polishing his frenetic live show, opening for the likes of YACHT and School of Seven Bells, along with performances at festivals such as CMJ, SUNY Purchase's Fall Fest, Goldrush and Westword Music Showcase. He released his Debut album "Deep Breathing" on March 12, 2013.

$16.00 - $20.00

Off Sale

A search for mind immersing, spine tingling tracks would land many stumbling upon Emancipator. Between the countless tour dates, festivals, and studio time, Emancipator (aka Doug Appling); the Portland, OR based electronic producer, has retained a steady rise of success over the past few years. Playing sold out venues, to the delight of his faithful fans, 2012 proved to be a year of expansion and growth for this talented young musician. Further backed by the support of two highly acclaimed albums, Soon it will be cold enough and Safe in the steep cliffs and the recent launch of his own label, Loci Records, this young entrepreneur shows no signs of slowing down.
Known for its etheric melodies, immaculately smooth samples, and addictive drum beats, Emancipator’s music has captivated a diverse audience across the globe. One might struggle to place a finger on what makes the music so addictive, but would undoubtedly return to the underlying feeling of balance and connection.